Course Description:
How do burglars choose their targets? Why do corner plots get hit
more often and why is graffiti seen on some walls and not on others?
This course will attempt to answer some of these and similar questions
by analyzing criminal behavior and victimization from the theoretical
perspective of Environmental Criminology and understand how
situational techniques can be applied for their prevention. By
drawing from a variety of sources (e.g. architecture, ecology,
sociology, geography, anthropology, psychology, urban planning and
criminology) the course will explore the macro and micro level
environments that affect crime and victimization. In particular, this
course will examine criminal events in the context of people's
movements through normal settings in their everyday life. By
analyzing land use patterns, residential layouts, street networks,
transportation systems and routine activities of the place, the
course will seek ways in which situational methods may then be applied
for preventing criminal behavior in these physical and social
settings.
The objectives of the course are to acquaint the student with the
theoretical basis of crime prevention techniques and to give a 'hands
on' experience by analyzing everyday life situations and devising
preventive methods. The course also aims to introduce the students to
urban planning and its importance to criminology and work or actual
projects with local police and municipal departments.
Course Outline:
The course will be organized around a weekly seminar format that will
seek to raise points for discussion, provide intellectual stimulation
and exchange in a dynamic interactive mode. The policy of open debate
and student participation in classroom discussions will be followed.
The course will also include 'lab. work' on Urban Planning and
Situational Crime Prevention Techniques that will include working on a
project in assistance with local area authorities.
Evaluation:
Class Participation 10%
Project Work 40%
Mid term Exam 20%
Final Exam 30%
Students will be required to work independently and with a team for
projects related to urban design and situational crime prevention
techniques. There will be a mid-term and final examination that will
assess the student's understanding of theory and practice of crime
prevention methods.
Class Meeting: Two 75 minute classes per week, 2:30-3:45, MW, WH 002
Instructor: Professor Arvind Verma, Department of Criminal Justice